As per every year, as my birthday approaches, I review my performance based on the goals I set myself the previous year. Looking at things objectively and with brutal honesty, I go over each facet of my life, with a view to learn from mistakes and to move forward.
There had been quite a bit of upheaval over the past year. The avalanche started with the breakup of my marriage, which led to my subpar performance and the loss of some clients. Reviewing the marriage, I asked "Ronda, was there anything you could have done better?", as I sat drinking my morning coffee.
As usual, once my son had gone off to school, I would have a shower and slip on a long T-shirt, with or without a panty. Today, I wore a sexy orange lace G-string. As I drifted off into my introspection, there was a knock at the door.
"Hope this is not Witnesses because I'm not in the mood," I said to myself as I approached the door. I looked out and there stood a tall man with his identification card around his neck and carrying a bag and a notebook.
I opened the door. "Good morning, can I help you?" I asked.
"Good morning ma'am, my name is Anton Wilkins. I am from the Environmental Protection Agency," he said as he handed me his ID.
"I am checking your area today to see if the nearby dumping of liquid waste has reached this neighbourhood," he continued. "Do you mind if I took a look in the back and took some soil and water samples?" he asked.
"Of course, come through," I said as I opened the door and headed through to the back. There was something familiar about this man, like I have seen him before.
"Anton, you look familiar. Where would I have seen you before," I asked.
He smiled. "I may have one of those kinds of faces," he said cheekily.
Then it clicked. "Do you play basketball?" I asked.
"Yes," he said smiling.
"You were on TV the other night. You had a good game but unfortunately, your team lost," I said, elated to have a 'star' at my house.
"Basketball is like life. You win some and you lose some. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes," he said. His soothing voice cut through my consciousness as if he was talking to me and what I was going through.
I watched him as he went down the garden, firstly looking around the edges and then, taking soil samples from various points. Shortly after he took the first few samples, the heavens opened and it began to rain very heavy. He ran back inside and was standing by the door, waiting for the rain to stop.
From the table, I studied his physique and overall appearance. There was something about him, an aura that was very inviting. I called him over to the table as I had made him a cup of coffee.
"I'm guessing black and one sugar," I said.
"Close, black and no sugar," he replied.
We began to chat, talking about how we got to where we are today and then he said something that blew me away.
"Is your birthday coming up soon?" he asked, his eyes peering straight into mine.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"